Animal Welfare in New Zealand Ministry of agriculture and forestry’s animal welfare mission
• to support the expectations of New Zealand society for the welfare and humane treatment of animals.
• to administer the Animal Welfare Act 1999 in an effective, responsible and fair manner.
• to support the development of animal welfare standards that address risks to animal welfare and promote improved welfare outcomes.
• to encourage voluntary compliance with animal welfare standards and, where necessary, to enforce the law.
• to contribute to New Zealand’s reputation as a trusted and sustainable producer of animals and animal products. ANIMAL WELFARE
Introduction Contents New Zealand’s modern economy grew around pastoral New Zealand’s animal farming and even today, nearly half of this country’s populations 2 export income is derived from farmed animals and their products. It is interesting that, in a country with almost Animals and society 5 no land mammals before human settlement, animals now Development of animal welfare play such a vital role in New Zealand’s economic and legislation in New Zealand 6 social life. New Zealanders can be proud of the achievements they have made in The Animal Welfare Act 1999 safeguarding and promoting the welfare of animals. As a nation we have – A framework for the 21st century 8 developed legislation, codes of welfare, and production and quality systems shaped by a strong animal welfare ethic. While this record is a proud one, it Operational research 10 would be wrong to be complacent. Attitudes to animals and the way people use them are evolving rapidly, Contemporary animal welfare both within New Zealand and in the countries with which we trade. We are issues 12 constantly confronted with new challenges – to justify the way we manage New Zealand’s animal welfare animals and to develop animal welfare practices that meet, or exceed, infrastructure 16 changing consumer expectations. Animal welfare will play an increasingly influential role in international trade, as evidenced by its inclusion as an important strategic initiative in the OIE’s strategic plans since 2001. The appointment of a New Zealander to chair the OIE’s Permanent Animal Welfare Working Group reflects international recognition of our science-based, ethically-principled approach to animal welfare policy and practice.
Animal Welfare in New Zealand explains how New Zealand manages animal welfare, not only within its pastoral farming economy, but also within the country’s wider social and environmental contexts.
This fourth edition comes ten years after the enactment of the Animal Welfare Act 1999 – itself the culmination of nearly 10 years of consultation, research and policy development and a foundation for New Zealand’s animal © Crown copyright Ministry of Agriculture and welfare practices in the 21st century. Forestry 2009. This document may be copied for non-commercial purposes providing its source is The Animal Welfare Act enables a rapid and effective response to new acknowledged. challenges and new ethical questions in animal welfare. It also gives people ISBN 978-0-478-35116-3 (Print) responsible for the care of animals a very clear understanding of their ISBN 978-0-478-35117-0 (Online) obligations. Disclaimer
While every effort has been made to ensure the I commend this publication to you as a reference point for an informed information in this publication is accurate, the appreciation of animal welfare in New Zealand. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry does not accept any responsibility or liability for error of fact, A C David Bayvel omission, interpretation or opinion that may be Director Animal Welfare present, nor for the consequences of any decisions based on this information. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry New Zealand’s animal populations
New Zealand’s pre-human environment contained abundant bird, reptile, amphibian and marine mammal life. The only land mammals were three species of bat, one of which is now extinct.
uccessive waves of human immigrants brought − to assist humans with sense or mobility disabilities; with them a wide range of animals – as a • rodeo, circus and captive wild animals; source of food, as farm animals, for use in sport • horses used for farm work, trekking, racing and other Sand recreation, for pest control or simply for equine sports. sentimental reasons. These introduced species have made a big impact on New Zealand’s environment. Companion animals New Zealanders are keen pet owners and there are large Today, the New Zealand environment supports large, well- populations of horses (66 000), domestic dogs (estimated established animal populations, both domestic and wild. at 652 000) and cats (estimated at over 1.1 million). The The main groups include: private ownership of most exotic pets, particularly big cats and reptiles, is prohibited. Snakes are not present in Farmed livestock species New Zealand, even in zoos, and are prohibited. New Zealand The New Zealand economy depends heavily on the export pet lovers do, however, keep a wide variety of birds, fish, income from pastoral farming. The industry is an integral amphibians and small mammals (guinea pigs, rabbits, rats part of the landscape, accounting for around half of and mice). Ferrets, formerly popular as companion animals, New Zealand’s total land area. Farmed species include: can no longer be legally acquired as pets because of the • sheep (34 million); damage they cause to wildlife if they escape. • dairy cattle (5.6 million); • beef cattle (4.5 million); • deer (1.2 million); The New Zealand environment supports large, • goats (96 thousand); well-established animal populations, both • layer hens (3.4 million) producing 77 million dozen domestic and wild. eggs annually; • breeding sows (42 thousand) producing an estimated 700 thousand pigs. Indigenous animals In addition, 81 million broilers (chickens kept for meat Many native species, including some marine mammals, have production) and around 3 million turkeys, ducks and game been severely affected by past hunting, by habitat changes birds are produced each year. and/or by the depredations of introduced species. At least 59 species – one bat, 51 birds, three frogs, three lizards and one In keeping with New Zealand’s history of innovation in freshwater fish – have become extinct since humans arrived agriculture, small populations of non-traditional farm in New Zealand. Others are rare and endangered. species have been introduced. These include llama, alpaca, water buffalo, salmon, emu and ostrich. New Zealand has an active conservation programme to protect and enhance the populations of its rare and While pigs and poultry are often farmed intensively, endangered species. On an international scale, New Zealand most agricultural species in New Zealand graze natural supports efforts to protect rare and endangered species in pastureland. other countries through the Convention on International Working animals Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). In addition to animals farmed for food and fibre, others Some marine mammal species were nearly provide services to humans in ways that are important both exterminated by hunting during the period of early economically and socially. These include: European settlement. They are now protected by law • dogs used within New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone, but − for herding stock; significant numbers of marine mammals and birds − for racing; are killed or injured accidentally by commercial − for detection of drugs and other illegal imports fishing operations. However, the New Zealand such as fruit; Government and the fishing industry have − by the police force and for security purposes; worked together to introduce regulations and Other animals provide services to humans in ways that are important both economically and socially.
voluntary codes of practice to reduce the incidence of this • Feral cats are a factor in the ongoing decline of native accidental by-catch. lizards and of kiwi and other ground-nesting birds. Uncontrolled dogs are significant predators of kiwi. New Zealand stopped commercial whaling more than 40 years ago. The New Zealand Government is opposed to the • Rats and mice damage stored crops; ship rats are one of resumption of commercial whaling and, as a member of the critical predators of many native birds such as the the International Whaling Commission, has consistently Mohua (yellowhead). supported the moratorium on this activity. • Ferrets, stoats and weasels were introduced into New Zealand to help control rabbits. While these New Zealand has taken a leading role in supporting the predators help suppress rabbits in some areas, they Southern Ocean Sanctuary and has been prominent in also prey extensively on native birds and reptiles, the international campaign against unsustainable fishing including rare and endangered species. Possums have practices. also been shown to prey on the nests of native birds, as Feral and wild pest species have hedgehogs, which also eat lizards. Because New Zealand had no native terrestrial predators Efforts continue to find the most humane methods of pest prior to the arrival of humans, many of our native species control, including traps, poisons and non-lethal methods evolved in ways that became increasingly unsustainable with such as fertility control, with a focus on methods that are the arrival of predators. An example of this is the occurrence target-specific and have minimal environmental impact. of flightless birds such as the kiwi and the kakapo, which Some of these introduced species – deer, pigs, possum, have become increasingly rare and endangered. Other chamois, thar, and goats – are also viewed as a resource by pest species damage agricultural production and the some people for both commercial and recreational hunting. environment. Impacts are as follows: • Possums, rabbits, wallabies, feral deer, goats and pigs Animals used in research, testing can detrimentally affect pasture and native vegetation. and teaching • Possums, ferrets, feral deer, and feral pigs contribute to In New Zealand, as in many countries, laboratory animals the spread and maintenance of bovine tuberculosis. (mainly rodents) and farm animals (mainly cattle and • Some bird species damage horticultural and cereal sheep) are used in research, testing and teaching activities crops and can spread animal diseases such as (RTT). Every project must be approved and monitored salmonellosis. by an animal ethics committee (AEC) established by the institution using the animals. In addition, any organisation using animals in RTT must hold a code of ethical conduct (CEC) approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF). This sets out the policies to be adopted and the procedures to be followed by the organisation and its AEC. With New Zealand’s focus on animal husbandry and veterinary research, farm animals, particularly sheep and cattle, generally account for over 40 percent of the national total of animals used in research, testing and teaching, while rodents and rabbits constitute over 30 percent of the total. Most RTT involving animals is undertaken in Crown research institutes, universities and commercial companies, with some also taking place in government departments, polytechnics and schools. Much of the research carried out in New Zealand does not result in the death or euthanasia of the animals concerned. In most years, approximately half of the animals are retained or released following use. Animals and society Values relating to the care and welfare of animals are complex, constantly evolving and increasingly tied to issues of environmental and agricultural sustainability. New Zealand’s heritage is closely bound with farming, animals and the environment, but within our society there is a wide range of views.
Over the country’s relatively short history, there has been a marked shift towards a more urbanised society with less than 20 percent of the population now living in rural areas compared to close to 60 percent in 1881. While the total population continues to rise, between 1881 and 2001 the urban population rose by over 1500 percent compared with a mere 83 percent rise in rural areas. Fewer New Zealanders than ever have contact with or experience of life on the farm. Ours is also a multi-cultural society, so differing perspectives on the value and management of animals are inevitable. Opinions on animal usage range from those who do not accept the use of animals by humans under any circumstances, possibly to the other extreme of those who may sanction the exploitation of animals for economic gain with little or no regard to welfare. Most opinion falls within a broad middle ground. Value systems outside New Zealand also have a strong influence on animal welfare practices in this country. Throughout the Western world, especially Europe, consumers have become more sensitive to the way in which animals are raised for food and fibre. The boundary between acceptable and unacceptable treatment of animals – whether farmed, companion, working or wild – is continually evolving. New Zealand has responded to these changing influences by developing animal welfare legislation that is both progressive and flexible.
Development of animal welfare legislation in New Zealand
Throughout most of recorded history, The next major step in animal welfare legislation was taken domesticated animals have been regarded in 1960 with the passing of the Animals Protection Act. For almost exclusively as property, with no its time, this legislation was among the most comprehensive special rights. and far-reaching of its type. This Act introduced several significant new provisions including: he United Kingdom led the way in the development • making it an offence to witness arranged animal of legislation to protect animals in the 19th century. fighting; TThis development coincided with the period of • prohibition of hare coursing; European settlement of New Zealand, and the large-scale • new offences relating to treatment of farm animals; importation of introduced species. • a new offence of aggravated cruelty; New Zealand quickly introduced animal welfare legislation • wider powers for inspectors; that was progressive for its time. Initially, it followed British • transfer of administrative responsibility from the law – the UK Protection of Animals Act 1835 became part police to MAF. of the statutes of New Zealand in 1840. A 1971 amendment restricted the dehorning and castration The New Zealand Cruelty to Animals Act 1878 built on of farm animals and the methods used for docking of cows’ the original British legislation, extending the law to cover tails. both wild and domestic animals. In 1884, the Cruelty to A further amendment in 1983 established the National Animals Act was repealed by the Police Offences Act, which Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC). Following made neglect of animals an offence in addition to wilful this, the Animals Protection (Codes of Ethical Conduct) cruelty. The new legislation also provided legal recognition Regulations 1987 required that all organisations to inspectors of Societies for Prevention of Cruelty to undertaking research, testing and teaching using animals Animals as special constables, a situation that is reflected be covered by a code of ethical conduct approved by the in the current legislation with specially trained staff being Minister of Agriculture. This development alongside recommended by the Royal New Zealand SPCA to be the establishment of animal ethics committees, provides appointed as animal welfare inspectors. for a high degree of institutional self-regulation within government defined guidelines. The boundary between acceptable and The Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC), a second ministerial advisory committee, was established in unacceptable treatment of animals – whether 1989. This became known as the National Animal Welfare farmed, companion, working or wild – is Advisory Committee under the Animal Welfare Act 1999. continually evolving. A 1993 amendment to the Animals Protection Act increased monetary penalties five-fold and extended the Courts’ powers to disqualify convicted people from owning animals. Despite the various amendments, the 1960 legislation did not adequately reflect society’s expectations for animal welfare by the 1990s. Nor did it effectively respond to international trends and concerns. In 1990, a review of the Animals Protection Act was conducted by AWAC. This included wide-ranging consultation with interested groups and organisations, the result of which was that the policy agreed by the Government aimed to develop new legislation that steered a middle course between extreme views on the use of animals. The Animal Welfare Act 1999 – A framework for the 21st century
he Animal Welfare Act 1999 took effect from 1 Animals covered by the Act January 2000, replacing the previous Animals The definition of animals under the Act includes mammals, TProtection Act 1960 and regulations. The new Act has birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, crabs, crayfish, squid kept New Zealand at the forefront with some of the world’s and octopus, as well as mammalian foetuses and avian or most progressive and comprehensive animal welfare law, reptilian pre-hatched young in the last half of their period and has served as a reference point for other countries also of gestation or development. intent on changing their approach to animal welfare. This covers all animals thought to be capable of feeling Key features of the Act include: pain and means that all such animals, whether they be for production, work, companionship, domesticated or Obligation to care for animals wild, are covered by the Act, so that while some groups are Penalties for ill-treatment of animals are balanced by a opposed to the use of animals in certain activities such as greater emphasis on prevention. This is done by clearly rodeos and circuses, the humane care and management of establishing the obligations on those responsible for the care all such animals is covered by New Zealand law. of animals. The essential needs of animals are based on the internationally recognised “five freedoms”: Animals in the wild • Proper and sufficient food and water. While ill-treatment of animals in the wild would be in • Adequate shelter. breach of the Act, the legislation does not make it unlawful • The opportunity to display normal patterns of to carry out animal pest control, or to hunt or fish for behaviour. animals in the wild. The Act also provides for restrictions on the types and use of traps and devices used in trapping • Physical handling in a way which minimises the and for other purposes, and for animals caught alive (for likelihood of unreasonable or unnecessary pain or example, during pest control) to be killed humanely if they distress. are not to be released. Commercial fishing is covered by • Protection from, and rapid diagnosis of, any significant seperate legislation, although fisheries officials regard the injury or disease. practice of shark-finning as inhumane and are looking at These obligations are qualified, however, as the needs in how this might be enforced under the welfare legislation. each individual case are assessed according to what is appropriate to the species, environment and circumstances Surgical procedures of an animal. The Act restricts who may perform certain surgical procedures on animals and under what conditions. Minor Flexibility or non-significant procedures may be carried out by owners Detailed minimum standards are contained in codes of or people in charge of animals. Standards covering some welfare (see next page) which can be amended more easily such procedures are specified in codes of welfare. than primary legislation.
Significant surgical procedures can only be carried out by The new Act has kept New Zealand at the forefront a veterinarian, or under veterinary supervision in certain with some of the world’s most progressive and circumstances. comprehensive animal welfare law. Animal exports The Act requires certification for the export of animals that Codes of welfare are not otherwise exempted. Exemptions are provided for The Act provides for detailed codes of welfare to be export situations which pose minimal risk to the animals developed and issued by the Minister of Agriculture on the (for example, short haul flights for some species). recommendation of the National Animal Welfare Advisory Research, testing and teaching (RTT) Committee (NAWAC), following a public consultation process. The codes specify minimum standards and The use of animals in RTT is covered by a separate part recommendations for best practice and cover a variety of (Part 6) of the Act. No research, testing or teaching may practices and procedures both within and outside farming. be carried out on any live animal unless the person or organisation involved holds an approved CEC. This sets While breach of minimum standards set in a code does not out the policies to be adopted and the procedures to be constitute an offence in itself, it may lead to legal action for followed by the organisation and the AEC established by the breaches of the Act. organisation. At the time of publication, the Minister of Agriculture had AECs are required to approve and monitor every project issued codes on the following animals or procedures: to ensure that the welfare of the animals is maximised and • Broiler chickens (fully housed). that any cost to the animals is balanced by the potential • Circuses. benefit of the work. Each AEC must have three members • Companion cats. who are not associated with the organisation – a nominee • Deer. of the New Zealand Veterinary Association, a nominee of • Layer hens. an approved animal welfare organisation, and a lay person • Painful husbandry procedures. nominated by a local government body to represent the • Pigs. public interest. • Rodeos. These committees are subject to independent review at a • Zoos. maximum of every five years. This system, along with the requirement for external members on AECs, provides for The following are under development as new codes of greater transparency and accountability when decisions are welfare for presentation to the Minister: made about the use of animals in RTT. To further promote • Commercial slaughter. transparency, a detailed analysis of animal use statistics is • Dairy cattle. published each year in the NAEAC annual report. • Dogs. • Transport of animals within New Zealand. Enforcement • Sheep and beef cattle. The responsibility for enforcing the Act lies with • Temporary housing for companion animals MAF. Inspectors under the Act may be either people • Goats. employed under the State Sector Act (generally MAF and New Zealand Food Safety Authority staff), police officers, • Camelids. or people nominated by an approved organisation who are • Equine. appointed by the Minister. • Animals at saleyards. Organisations that meet certain criteria and whose primary Information regarding codes of welfare can be found purpose is to promote animal welfare, can be approved by at www.biosecurity.govt.nz/regs/animal-welfare/stds/ the Minister to enforce the Act and destroy, sell or re-home codes animals which are given into their care. The Royal New In addition to the codes, a number of guidelines for the Zealand SPCA and the Animal Welfare Institute of New welfare of animals have been published and can be found at Zealand are approved organisations. www.biosecurity.govt.nz/regs/animal-welfare/pubs/nawac Operational research
MAF is responsible for ensuring that the Minister of Agriculture and the Government are given sound, science-based policy advice on animal welfare matters affecting the agriculture sector. These issues can affect New Zealand’s domestic and international markets.
Section 10 of the Animal Welfare Act 1999 provides that: “The owner of an animal and every person in charge of an animal must ensure that the physical, health and behavioural needs of the animal are met in a manner that is in accordance with both: (a) good practice and (b) scientific knowledge” In order to ensure that standards of animal welfare set in codes of welfare meet this requirement, MAF commissions operational research each year on issues where gaps in knowledge have been identified. Detailed summaries of funded operational research programmes can be found in the annual reports of NAWAC. Operational research funded by MAF between 1993 and 2009 has included the following areas: • On-farm husbandry practices. • Providing pain relief during painful husbandry procedures. • The relationship between body condition score and welfare in dairy cows. • The economic effects of, and social influences on, improving animal welfare. • Indicators of welfare in farm animals. • Societal attitudes to the use of animals in research, testing and teaching. • Welfare on organic farms. • Shade and shelter on farms. • Revision of the severity scale for assessing the impact of live animal manipulations in research, testing and teaching. • Effects of calf roping in rodeos. • Transport of livestock. • Vertebrate pest control methods. • Livestock slaughter methods. • Welfare assessment of farm animals.
10 MAF is responsible for ensuring that the Minister of Agriculture and the Government are given sound, science-based policy advice on animal welfare matters affecting the agriculture sector.
11 Contemporary animal welfare issues
12 New Zealand’s strategic approach to animal Vertebrate pest control welfare involves incremental, science-based Vertebrate pest control is required for introduced change management over realistic time frames, species that pose a threat to human and animal health, with the active involvement of all affected and the environment, and the economic sustainability of production systems in New Zealand. Animals such as interested parties. possums, mustelids, rabbits, rodents and Canada geese n responding to research which has taken place either all have the potential to adversely affect agriculture and here in New Zealand or overseas and which indicates the environment, and to disrupt efforts to conserve that animal welfare can be improved, practices used indigenous species. The challenge is to find affordable, in the management of animals are constantly being humane and practical systems for controlling and, where I possible and necessary, eradicating these pests. refined and improved to enhance animal welfare. The development of new technology or husbandry practices for Vertebrate pest control in New Zealand relies heavily on a new type of livestock farming may also be the stimulus the use of poisons and traps, and more recently there for change, so that the issues that are current or undergoing has been a focus on minimising the welfare impacts review vary from time to time. of these tools. Guidelines for assessing the welfare The following examples show how some contemporary performance of both traps and vertebrate toxic agents animal welfare issues have been managed in New Zealand have been developed to enable the relative welfare impacts within economic, environmental, technological, social and of commercially available products to be evaluated. international contexts. As a result, some leg-hold traps have been prohibited, and users of vertebrate toxic agents can now make an Economics informed choice on what toxins to use to minimise the Increasingly, in the developed world at least, consumers’ welfare impacts of their control operations. purchase decisions may be influenced by animal welfare, Additionally, guidelines have been developed to promote food safety and environmental considerations, as well as the best-practice use of traps, to ensure trappers minimise price and other suitability factors. Some consumers want any possible welfare impacts. to know that the animals that produced the meat, eggs or milk products on their supermarket shelves were treated humanely. The value of animal welfare in an economic sense Increasingly, consumers’ purchase decisions may is also demonstrated by the involvement of the International be influenced by animal welfare, food safety and Finance Corporation (IFC), which was established by the environmental considerations. World Bank Group to promote sustainable private sector investment in, for example, livestock and aquaculture projects and production facilities in developing countries. Emergency Management In October 2006, the IFC, in releasing a Good Practice The National Animal Welfare Emergency Management publication on Animal Welfare in Livestock Operations, Liaison Group (NAWEM) was established in 2006 as part of an initiative to provide enhanced support to its to provide a national co-ordination point for the clients in the development of a responsible and forward- management of animal welfare in emergencies. NAWEM looking approach to livestock operations, acknowledged maintains an overview of animal welfare issues that animal welfare is important for commercial as well as for all animals, from domestic to production to ethical reasons. scientific animal populations, though its focus While opposing the use of animal welfare issues to protect is on companion animals. NAWEM provides trade, New Zealand aims to ensure that our domestic advice to the Civil Defence and Emergency (CDEM) regulatory framework, coupled with science-based auditable sector when required, but has a wider mandate, quality assurance programmes, are robust so that producers looking also at animal welfare issues in biosecurity and exporters can use them to contribute to optimum breaches and other emergencies. product positioning and commercial return in premium- The group provides techncial advice on animal welfare priced markets. issues during emergencies – large-scale events caused 13 either by adverse weather or the outbreak of an exotic • The EU Welfare Quality Project. disease. Recent overseas emergencies, such as Hurricane • The Council for Europe Standing Committee of the Katrina in the United States, or the bird flu pandemic European Convention for the Protection of Animals in southeast Asia, have highlighted some of the animal Kept for Farming Purposes. welfare issues that can occur if there is not appropriate • The Quads Animal Welfare Group (New Zealand, preparedness prior to such events. Australia, USA and Canada). NAWEM members are representatives from: • European Forum of Animal Welfare Councils • Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency (EuroFAWC). Management (MCDEM). The Office International des Épizooties (OIE) is the Paris- • Federated Farmers of New Zealand (FFNZ). based World Organisation for Animal Health. Formed in • Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals 1924, it has 175 member countries and territories. The OIE’s (SPCA). animal welfare role has, in recent years, become much more • World Society of the Protection of Animals (WSPA). sharply focused, with the identification of animal welfare • New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA). as a key strategic objective and the formation in 2002 of • New Zealand Companion Animal Council. an eight-member Permanent Working Group on Animal Welfare which New Zealand has chaired since its inception. The overall goal of NAWEM is to facilitate the implementation of appropriate animal welfare standards in In 2004, the OIE’s member countries endorsed a series the event of a national emergency in New Zealand. of animal welfare guiding principles and the OIE Animal Health Code Commission agreed a series of scientific International principles to underpin welfare guidelines. Dependence on trade in animal products makes In May 2005, the International Committee of OIE Member New Zealand attentive to the concerns and expectations of Countries adopted four animal welfare standards to be its international customers. Responsiveness to developing included in the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code. These international animal welfare standards is complemented by standards are: New Zealand’s positive approach to standards setting. • slaughter for human consumption; Within New Zealand, industry-led, science-based quality • killing for disease control purposes; assurance programmes which incorporate animal welfare • land transportation; standards are able to be used to meet international • sea transportation; consumer demand for assurances about • air transportation. animal welfare. Further ad hoc groups have been set up to develop welfare To ensure a mutual guidelines for laboratory animals, production animals, understanding of animal wildlife and transportation and slaughter of aquatic animals. welfare policies and initiatives with international colleagues, The OIE announced in May 2009 an expansion to the New Zealand confers regularly Massey University Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics with other government departments and a Centre which sees five agencies in New Zealand and number of different groups including: Australia formally linked and internationally recognised as • The Trans-Tasman Animal Welfare a collaborating centre of animal welfare science excellence. Committee (AWC). The primary role of the centre is the provision of expert • The Farm Animal Welfare Council (UK). scientific, bioethical and educational advice for the OIE. • The New Zealand/European Commission Other roles will include the provision of scientific and Animal Welfare Co-operation Forum. technical training, the organisation of appropriate scientific meetings, and the co-ordination of scientific and technical studies in collaboration with other organisations.
14 Dependence on trade in animal products makes New Zealand attentive to the concerns and expectations of its international customers.
15 New Zealand’s animal welfare infrastructure
16 New Zealand has traditionally taken an inclusive approach to the legislation and codes that protect the welfare of our animals.
Policy and practice Within the animal welfare framework administered MAF enforces the animal welfare legislation by MAF there is a highly cohesive structure for the and audits the activities of the approved promotion of animal welfare policy and practice. There organisations which assist it in this role. is a high level of consultation between those groups with interests in the issue and industry, research, professional • develops and implements measures to ensure animal and voluntary organisations all provide input into one or welfare during national emergencies caused by an more of the following areas: exotic disease outbreak or adverse climatic event; • education and training; • develops policy and standards to support compliance • technical standards; with the Animal Welfare Act 1999, including • research; developing and implementing proactive compliance • development of quality systems. and communication programmes to reduce offending Administration and enforcement and maximise voluntary compliance; MAF has a wide range of animal welfare functions, with • investigates animal welfare complaints received and different groups taking the lead on specific tasks. In recommends or takes appropriate action, ranging addition, the New Zealand Food Safety Authority and the from providing advice to criminal investigation and RNZSPCA play an important role in relation to animal prosecution; welfare compliance and enforcement. • verifies compliance with animal welfare related market access requirements; Specifically, MAF: • manages the government’s relationship with non- • ensures effective discharge of statutory governmental providers of compliance services; responsibilities under the Animal Welfare Act 1999; • liaises with stakeholders to effectively communicate • provides scientific and policy advice to the Minister animal welfare policy, practice and compliance of Agriculture on animal welfare and ethical issues information; arising from the use of animals for production, • maintains international networks to ensure that New scientific, companionship, recreation, trade, and Zealand is acknowledged as a “welfare-responsible” other purposes; country, and contributes to dialogue and policy • ensures the mitigation of unnecessary or formulation on the role of animal welfare in unreasonable pain or distress and ensure animals international trade; are provided with appropriate care to meet their • contributes to the OIE strategic initiative on animal physical, health and behavioural needs; welfare. • identifies areas of animal welfare research needed to support policy formulation or standard MAF enforces the animal welfare legislation and audits the development, and liaises with research providers activities of the approved organisations (RNZSPCA and and funding agencies both domestically and the Animal Welfare Institute of New Zealand) which assist internationally; it in this role. MAF and these organisations investigate • liaises with key stakeholders and the public to complaints made about possible non-compliance with the ensure that animal welfare standards and practices legislation. While the vast majority of such complaints are are the subject of wide consultation, are based on dealt with through consultation and education, successful available science, and that any necessary change is prosecutions against persistent or blatant offenders appropriately managed and communicated; are undertaken routinely. A number of private sector • contributes to, and provides support for, NAEAC organisations have signed Memoranda of Understanding and NAWAC; with a commitment to collaborate on animal welfare issues, including situations where an animal welfare complaint has been made. 17 Consultation approach to animal welfare and is a clearing house for the dissemination of research results. Ministerial Advisory Committees NAWAC advises the Minister on issues including Primary Industry Organisations research and legislative proposals, relating to the welfare Representing all stages from on-farm production to of all animals. It also develops and advises on codes of livestock purchasing, transport and meat processing, welfare. these organisations make an indispensable contribution NAEAC advises the Minister on ethical and animal to the development of new operating practices, policy welfare issues arising from the use of animals in research, and standards for animal welfare. They carry out a testing and teaching. It also provides advice and considerable amount of research and development, information on the development and review of codes of training and educational work within their own industries ethical conduct. to enhance animal welfare standards. Such standards often lead to improvements in product quality. Animal Behaviour and Welfare Consultative Committee (ABWCC) Professional and Other Organisations The ABWCC is a forum for the exchange of information The New Zealand Veterinary Association about animal welfare, behaviour and related issues (NZVA) – by virtue of their professional expertise in, between New Zealand animal industry groups, animal and day-to-day involvement, with animal health and welfare researchers, government departments, the welfare, veterinarians provide invaluable input into the veterinary profession, public animal welfare organisations development of standards and policy, as well as acting as and research funders. The committee encourages disseminators of sound welfare advice to their clients. dialogue between member groups, promotes a scientific
18 The Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RNZSPCA) – the Society has There is a high level of consultation between those dual roles: firstly, as an advocate for animal welfare, groups with interests in the issue and industry, it is involved in policy and standards input and has a research, professional and voluntary organisations. major educative function. Secondly, it is involved with enforcement of the Act as an approved organisation. Animal Welfare Institute of New Zealand (AWINZ) The New Zealand Three Rs Programme within the – is involved with enforcement of the Act as an approved AWSBC – established with MAF’s help to promote the Three organisation. Rs (replacement, reduction and refinement) in research, The New Zealand Veterinary Nurses’ Association testing and teaching in New Zealand. (NZVNA) – provides valuable input into standards Animal Behaviour and Welfare Research Centre, development from a unique perspective. AgResearch Ltd, Ruakura – a major centre for animal The New Zealand Companion Animal Council behaviour and welfare research. (NZCAC) – representing a wide range of animal groups, Unitec Institute of Technology – runs animal-related the NZCAC has taken a major role in code development courses including the training of inspectors under the Act. in the companion animal area. It also has a focus on research into companion animal Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care behaviour and welfare. of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART) Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd – carries out – promotes excellence in the care of animals used in research that aims to maintain New Zealand’s native research and teaching to ensure the outcomes of the and production ecosystems, with a welfare focus in the scientific uses of animals are worthwhile and to foster development of new pest animal control options that are as informed and responsible debate within the scientific and humane and target–specific as possible. wider community regarding the scientific uses of animals. Animals in Schools Education Trust (AISET) – works AsureQuality Ltd – provides a variety of field services, to provide resources designed by teachers to promote farm quality assurance services, and processing assurance the inclusion of animal topics in the New Zealand school services for the verification of animal welfare. curriculum, with the aim that school pupils gain acceptance Education and Research of the obligation to have concern for the welfare of animals and to obtain a balanced view of people’s relationship with Education and research contributes a definite focus on animals. providing a sound scientific basis to decisions involving the welfare of animals, research, the education of potential researchers, and dissemination of the results of research. Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (FRST) – is an important source of funding for animal welfare research through the Public Good Research Fund. This is additional to funds provided through MAF sources such as the Operational Research Fund and the Sustainable Farming Fund. Massey University is an important centre for agriculture and animal-related subjects, with a focus on animal welfare including the Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre (AWSBC) – a major centre for animal health and welfare research, education and bioethical analysis.
19 MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY MINISTER MAF BIOSECURITY NEW ZEALAND ANIMAL WELFARE - Government policy DIRECTORATE - Statutory functions NATIONAL ANIMAL welfare ADVISORY MAF BIOSECURITY NEW ZEALAND POLICY and - Accountability COMMITTEE (NAWAC) risk DIRECTORATE - Covers farm, companion and wild MAF enforcement directorate animals and pests MAF INTERNATIONAL POLICY GROUP - Advises Minister on any matter relating to - Legislative review animal welfare including research - Policy advice and legislative proposals - Standards - Develops, and advises the Minister - International liaison on codes of welfare - Commissions audits of performance of non-Crown enforcement agencies - Communications
NATIONAL ANIMAL ETHICS NEW ZEALAND FOOD SAFETY AUTHORITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (NAEAC) - Covers use of animals in research, VERIFICATION AGENCY - Animal Welfare Act compliance testing and teaching and enforcement - Advises Minister
- Education and surveillance - Reviews codes of ethical conduct
AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL FOR THE CARE OF NEW ZEALAND ANIMALS IN RESEARCH AND VETERINARY TEACHING (ANZCCART) ASSOCIATION (NZVA) - Promotes standards of care - Practitioner role for animals used in - Policy input research and teaching - Standards input - Encourages discussion of related ethical issues
ROYAL NEW ZEALAND SPCA ANIMALS IN SCHOOLS EDUCATION TRUST Animal welfare - Inspector and auxiliary officer appointment recommendations - Promotes respect for animals - Educational material - Policy input policy & practice - Standards input - Coordination role with branches/ FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH in New Zealand member societies SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - Education and advocacy (FRST) - Public good research funding SPCA BRANCES AND
MEMBERS ANIMAL WELFARE SCIENCE AND BIOETHICS - Animal Welfare Act CENTRE, MASSEY UNIVERSITY enforcement - Animal health and welfare research - Education - Education - Bioethical analysis - Three Rs programme OTHER ANIMAL WELFARE - OIE Collaborating Centre ORGANISATIONS - Policy input UNITEC SCHOOL OF NATURAL - Education SCIENCES - Future enforcement role
ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR AND WELFARE - Courses in animal technology, CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE (ABWCC) captive wild animals, FEDERATED FARMERS - National forum for information veterinary nursing, animal - Primary care of farm animals exchange between researchers, welfare investigations and - Policy input industry, government and animal management - Standards input non-governmental organisations - Research in companion animal behaviour and welfare
PRODUCER BOARDS AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR AND WELFARE - Policy input RESEARCH CENTRE (ABWRC), - Quality management systems AGRESEARCH, RUAKURA - Applied research funding - Animal behaviour and welfare research and education - OIE Collaborating Centre
20 Sponsors
The support of the following organisations to animal welfare in New Zealand and this publication is gratefully acknowledged.
Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand
EGG PRODUCERS FEDERATION OF NEW ZEALAND (INC)
Further information For further information on animal welfare in New Zealand contact:
Animal Welfare Directorate Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry PO Box 2526, Wellington 6140, New Zealand Freephone: 0800 008 333 Email: [email protected]
Websites MAF Biosecurity New Zealand Animal Welfare www.biosecurity.govt.nz/animal-welfare
National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) www.biosecurity.govt.nz/regs/animal-welfare/nz/nawac
National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) www.biosecurity.govt.nz/regs/animal-welfare/nz/naeac Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Te ManatU Ahuwhenua, ngAherehere Pastoral House, 25 The Terrace P O Box 2526, Wellington 6140 New Zealand www.maf.govt.nz